In addition to his talents as a valve trombone soloist,
Bob Brookmeyer is a very advanced arranger whose charts often show off the influence of modern classical music. However, on this CD with the Netherlands Metropole Orchestra (a huge ensemble that includes a big band and a full string section), none of the arrangements are his; instead, the rather predictable charts were written by
Rob Pronk,
Jerry van Rooyen,
Lex Jasper, Henk Meutgeert and
Rik Elings. The focus throughout is on Brookmeyer's valve trombone. He plays quite well -- in prime form, actually, although one misses the interplay he might have had with another competing voice. The highlights include "I Get a Kick Out of You," Duke Ellington's rarely performed "Morning Glory," "Someone to Watch Over Me" and "The Best Things In Life Are Free" (which has the most adventurous arrangement). Mostly this is a melodic and ballad-oriented program, a bit sleepy but with some fine subtle creativity from
Brookmeyer. The recording dates listed above are approximate since they are not included in the liner notes.